Anyone who has ever had their email inbox filled with spam knows how annoying it can be. Spam emails can not only be a nuisance, but can also put your personal information at risk. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the amount of spam you receive.
First, you can report spam emails to your email provider. This will let your provider know which emails are spam, so they can apply filters to prevent more from getting through. You can also unsubscribe from any mailing lists you have inadvertently signed up to, HOWEVER, you should ONLY unsubscribe from legit sites! DO NOT UNSUBSCRIBE from something you do not recognize. Here’s an example:
Most email programs also have the ability to filter out or block certain content. This is a great way to stop receiving spam emails. To further reduce the risk of receiving unwanted emails, you can also set up separate email addresses for online services, such as shopping sites. If a site requires an email address to create an account, use a disposable email address instead. This will allow you to stay in control of what emails you receive.
By taking the steps outlined above, you can help reduce your risk of getting spam emails. Keep your email inbox clean and secure by reporting spam to your email provider, unsubscribing from legitimate mailing lists, setting up separate email addresses, and using disposable email addresses.
If it’s too late, and you’ve fallen victim to one of these spammers, The Docs suggest getting in touch with a computer professional (or your business IT department) to make sure you have not been compromised!

Stephen Bach
Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead.